Zuo Youren's two subordinates, their eyes filled with ferocity, advanced on Chen Xiao with clenched fists.
The pair were tall and imposing, their fierce expressions marking them as formidable opponents. They were brothers, the elder named Da Long and the younger Er Long. Before joining Zuo Youren, they had spent years on the streets, notorious for their recklessness.
Though their cultivation was only at the fourth level of Body Refining, it was more than enough to bully the weak. Zuo Youren had recruited them precisely for their despicable and shameless methods.
They had lived up to his expectations, assisting Zuo Youren in preying on the innocent and devising countless insidious schemes, their deeds thoroughly wicked. The sleeping powder that afflicted Xiao Liuzi and Wang Ke had been their handiwork.
While Chen Xiao's earlier display of killing intent had startled them, their discovery that his cultivation was merely at the second level of Body Refining turned their gaze towards him, seeing him as nothing more than a lamb awaiting slaughter.
"Take this flying kick!" Er Long roared, charging at Chen Xiao.
"Hmph!"
His kick sliced through the air with a whistling sound. Er Long was confident in his legwork, having lost count of how many people had coughed up blood and died after being struck by this very leg. The most satisfying way to defeat an opponent, he believed, was to crush them in their strongest domain. Thus, upon seeing Er Long's leg extend, Chen Xiao swiftly raised his own to meet it.
"Overestimating yourself!" Er Long rejoiced. He couldn't believe this mere second-level Body Refining youth was so foolish, so unafraid of confronting his attack head-on. He could already hear the sound of Chen Xiao's leg snapping.
"Crack!"
The two legs collided, and the sound of bone breaking indeed rang out. However, it was not Chen Xiao's bone that broke, but Er Long's!
"Ah!" Er Long screamed, falling backward. His lower leg bent outward at a hundred and eighty degrees, a gruesome sight.
"My leg! My leg!" Er Long wailed, trying to force his leg back into place. But upon touching it, he discovered the bone had fractured precisely where Chen Xiao had kicked it, with only skin and flesh still connecting the pieces.
"Er Long, how is your leg?" Da Long asked anxiously, seeing his brother injured.
"Big brother, my leg, he broke it!" Er Long cried out, almost in tears.
Witnessing his brother's pitiable state, Da Long instantly lost all reason. He threw a vicious punch at Chen Xiao, roaring, "You little brat, I'll kill you!"
Chen Xiao's eyes narrowed slightly. Then, with what seemed like an effortless extension of his hand, Da Long's powerful punch was easily blocked by Chen Xiao. Da Long's fist was caught firmly in Chen Xiao's grasp.
Chen Xiao smirked contemptuously and uttered softly, "You are too weak!"
"How is this possible?" Da Long's eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn't comprehend how Chen Xiao had so effortlessly stopped his punch. Such a feat was only possible when there was a vast disparity in strength, yet Chen Xiao was clearly only at the second level of Body Refining.
"You've had your turn. Now it's mine," Chen Xiao said with a mocking expression. He secretly channeled his vital energy, clenching his other hand into a fist. Yellow light erupted from his fist, and he then struck Da Long directly in the abdomen.
"Six Harmonies Fist, Crush!"
This was the second stance of the Six Harmonies Fist, the Crush Fist. When employed against an opponent whose movements were restricted, it delivered a devastating blow.
"Bang!"
With a dull thud, Da Long's face turned ashen, his breathing ceasing. He felt as though his internal organs had been shattered.
Chen Xiao released his grip, and Da Long collapsed like a heap of mud, his fate uncertain. In just one exchange, two fourth-level Body Refining martial artists had fallen to Chen Xiao, reduced to incapacitated wrecks.
"Now, it's your turn!" Chen Xiao flashed a sinister smile, his gaze locking onto Zuo Youren.
Zuo Youren stared blankly at Chen Xiao, his legs trembling involuntarily. He shuffled backward, only to find himself pressed against a high wall, his retreat cut off. He deeply regretted choosing this dead-end alley; now, he had no escape. Who could have foreseen Chen Xiao's immense power? Two fourth-level Body Refining martial artists had been utterly defeated by Chen Xiao in a single encounter. Was this the combat prowess of a second-level Body Refining cultivator?
"You, what do you want?" Zuo Youren stammered, overwhelmed by fear.
"Hahaha, you ask what I want? Weren't you the one shouting for my life just now?" Chen Xiao taunted Zuo Youren with amusement.
"No, you can't kill me! If you kill me, my grandfather will surely not let you off!" Zuo Youren shrieked hysterically.
Chen Xiao advanced step by step, "At this point, do you think I still fear your grandfather?"
"I can spare you, but give me a reason!" As he spoke, Chen Xiao reached Zuo Youren, toying with him like an old cat with its prey.
"Because... because..." Zuo Youren cowered against the wall, with nowhere left to retreat.
Suddenly, a cold glint flashed in Zuo Youren's eyes. He then flung something forcefully towards Chen Xiao. Chen Xiao's expression changed drastically. Was it a hidden weapon? Looking at Zuo Youren's face, the fear was gone. His previous display of terror had been a ruse, a tactic to lure Chen Xiao closer and lull him into a false sense of security, creating an opportunity to throw his hidden weapon. He didn't believe Chen Xiao could react and dodge at such close range.
As he had anticipated, Chen Xiao was struck. Although Chen Xiao had attempted to dodge sideways the moment he saw the object, he was too close to Zuo Youren. A caltrop deeply embedded itself in Chen Xiao's arm. Chen Xiao endured the pain and pulled out the caltrop, but the wound's blood had already turned black and emitted a foul odor. The hidden weapon was poisoned!
"Despicable!" Chen Xiao gritted out.
"Haha, it's said that all's fair in war. I won't hide it from you; the caltrop is coated with my exclusive secret formula, the Blood Coagulation Powder. If you don't take the antidote within a day, your body will fester and you will die," Zuo Youren regained his arrogant demeanor.
Chen Xiao leaped forward, grabbing Zuo Youren by the neck. "Hand over the antidote, or you'll die before I do!"
"I never carry the antidote on me. If you want it, you'll have to come home with me to get it," Zuo Youren had a cunning plan. If Chen Xiao didn't accompany him, he would die without the antidote. If Chen Xiao did return home, with so many experts there, Chen Xiao would be doomed.
Chen Xiao saw through his intentions immediately, a cold smile playing on his lips. "You truly have no fear of death!"
It had to be said, despite his despicable actions, Zuo Youren was a ruthless character. With Chen Xiao's grip around his neck, making it difficult to breathe, he still managed to stammer, "If you dare... you, kill me... right now!"
"Kill you now? You think too highly of yourself!" Chen Xiao grinned mysteriously.
"Slap!" A crisp sound echoed. Zuo Youren's head snapped to the side, leaving a bright red handprint on his face.